Brandon (County Durham) Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Brandon's crime profile in January 2026, accounting for 42.5% of all reported crimes. At 6.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area's overall crime rate matches the UK average exactly. The breakdown shows violence and sexual offences occur at a rate of 2.9 per 1,000 residents—16% above the UK average—while shoplifting and vehicle crime are significantly lower than national figures. This pattern aligns with Brandon's character as a small built-up area within County Durham, where community dynamics and local amenities may influence crime trends. The post-holiday period in January typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which could contribute to a shift in crime patterns compared to busier months. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also feature prominently, reflecting potential tensions in shared spaces or public areas. The rate of public order offences has risen sharply compared to previous months, suggesting possible increases in disputes or disturbances during colder weather conditions. While the overall rate remains stable with the UK average, the disproportionate prevalence of violent crime compared to other categories indicates a need for targeted local responses. Seasonal factors such as limited outdoor activity and reduced tourism may also play a role in shaping these statistics, though further analysis would be required to confirm direct links. The data illustrates a combination of local conditions and national trends, with Brandon's crime picture shaped by its specific demographic and geographic context within County Durham.

January 2026 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Public order offences surged by 133.3%, jumping from three to seven incidents, a sharp increase that may reflect heightened tensions during colder weather or increased community gatherings. This rise contrasts with a 66.7% drop in burglary, which fell from three to one incident, possibly due to seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity or improved security measures. Other theft also rose by 33.3%, moving from six to eight cases, indicating potential vulnerabilities in personal property protection. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences, though not the highest month-on-month increase, rose by 10.7%, highlighting ongoing concerns in this category. The area's performance against the UK average reveals stark contrasts: violence and sexual offences are 16% above the national rate, while shoplifting is 65% below. These disparities may be influenced by local characteristics such as the presence of specific community hubs or the impact of local initiatives. Anti-social behaviour, though still above the UK average, decreased by 52.2%, suggesting possible improvements in community engagement or policing efforts. The marked decrease in vehicle crime—50% from two to one incident—could indicate effective measures in car-related crime prevention, though the small number of cases makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Residents may find the reduction in burglary rates particularly noteworthy, as it could signal enhanced security awareness or successful local interventions.

Brandon's crime rate in January 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents) represents a 13.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 7.8 per 1,000, marking a notable downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately two crimes per day over the course of the month, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents in everyday life. When scaled to the local population, this translates to one reported crime for every 147 residents over the month—a rate that, while consistent with the UK average, may feel more pronounced in a smaller built-up area where community interactions are frequent. The previous month's higher rate may have been influenced by temporary factors such as holiday-related disruptions or seasonal events, which appear to have subsided in January. The population context underscores the relative safety of the area, with crime levels remaining within national benchmarks despite the dominance of violent crime. However, the monthly exposure figure highlights that residents are not entirely insulated from crime, as the rate remains above zero. This comparison invites reflection on how local policies and community initiatives might further reduce the frequency of incidents, particularly in categories such as public order and anti-social behaviour, which showed both increases and decreases depending on the crime type. The data also reveals that Brandon's experience with vehicle crime and shoplifting is lower than the UK average, suggesting that certain local conditions—such as limited retail activity or specific community characteristics—may contribute to these disparities.